WW2 British Army 1 Year Overseas Service Stripe

The WW2 British Army 1 Year Overseas Service Stripe is an original uniform insignia awarded to British Army personnel during the Second World War. Introduced in 1918 and continued through WWII, this stripe recognized each year of overseas service in a theater of war, excluding time in the UK. Worn on the lower right sleeve, the stripe is made of narrow red worsted wool, typically measuring approximately 2¼ inches in length. Soldiers could be awarded multiple stripes, each representing an additional year served abroad. This item represents the official methods used by the British military to acknowledge the contribution and endurance of its personnel during extended periods of active duty outside the British Isles. The Overseas Service Stripe is a tangible piece of military history, reflecting wartime policies of recognition and the varied experiences of British servicemen during the global conflict of 1939–1945.